11.27.2011 Liverpool vs Man.City 1:1 - Dominated Red almost defeated unbeaten league leader....

Starting line-up: <4-1-4-1>

Reina

Johnson Skrtel Agger Enriqe

Lucas

Kuyt Henderson Adam Downing

Suarez

LFC Scorer: Lescott's OG

LFC Man of the Match: Lucas Levia

11.20.2011 Chelsea vs Liverpool 1:2 - King got the starting 11 right as gutless Chelsea limited Traitors Torres and Meireles to late subsititions

Starting line-up: (4-2-3-1)

Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Lucas Adam
Kuyt Bellamy Maxi
Suarez

LFC scorers: Maxi & Johnson


LFC Player of the game:

Pure team effort, hard to single out particular individual today: Reina made great save to avoid Chelsea got the lead in 2nd half, Agger led the defensive line very well as usual, Adam was more effective in tackling today along with overall good passing, Lucas was a workhorse as usual, Maxi got the start and reward with the first goal, Bellamy linked well with Suarez and deserved to be full-time starter in the team, Johnson was not reliable in stopping Malouda and Mata but rewarded the team with a solo winning goal.

Insight:

11.5.2011 Liverpool vs Swansea City 0:0 - Inexcusable ugly draw left the Reds out of 4th place zone...

Starting line-up: (4-4-2)

Reina

Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique

Henderson Lucas Adam Downing

Carroll Suarez

LFC scorers: none


LFC Player of the game:
Agger, if any...
Agger is right, the whole team played like headless chickens majority of the game. Agger was the lone better performer along with our step-in captain GK Reina. When healthy, Agger is definitely our leader at the back. Question remains how long he can stay fit over a long tough season.

Insight:
Liverpool was punished by their missed early scoring chances with Carroll disappointedly failed to convert a sitter through a rare good low cross from Downing inside the six yard box. The early misses has given Swansea new life and they gradually grew in confidence with increasing possessions and dangerous wing plays. Carroll's sorry miss was yet another crazy post-hitting shot! It's incredible that LFC has already got 10 post-hitting shots this year, more than any other teams in the league. However, LFC can't just blame on bad luck. Clearly, there are key problems and incorrect tactical decisions in our team. So far we have only scored 14 goals and we sure have big problem in attack. Our key problem include:

1) 4-4-2 means our CMF partner Adam and Lucas are usually out-classed by top teams and out-numbered by most middle to lower ranked sides as they tend to use 5 MF with 3 CMFs against LFC. Adam and Lucas, while both are very decent in what they are good at (Adam in long range pass and free-kicks; Lucas in tackling and smart plays), are very one dimensional with clear weaknesses. (Adam is slow and cannot tackle; Lucas can never score goal or make any creative pass)

2) Downing, our sole natural winger, has been our biggest disappointment. Henderson, a natural CMF, was misplaced as RMF with continuous poor display. Solid and reliable veterans Kuyt and Bellamy were mostly not the preferred starting players. King was too rush to start the youth movement with inconsistent and immature Carroll and Henderson undeservedly given starting chances over Kuyt and Bellamy.

3) Suarez is a superstar in our team. He is brilliant in everything but is not a natural finisher. We are lacking of a classic no.9 with strong finishing ability. Also, in our starting line-up, Lucas,Henderson and Downing all have poor scoring record, only Suarez, Adam and Carroll can score some goals.

We have been solid in defense. Our problem in attack must be addressed in January transfer window with a star sikllful right wing and a top-class scorer being our essential prime targets! If we don't do anything in January or Kuyt and Bellamy still not given more starting chances, I don't see us reaching 4th at the end!

10.29.2011 West Brom vs Liverpool 0:2 - A much needed win as Reds gets back to the mix for top 4 fight!

Starting line-up: (4-4-2)

Reina

Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique

Henderson Lucas Adam Downing

Carroll Suarez

LFC scorers: Adam, Carroll


LFC Player of the game:
Suarez
In the absence of captain Gerrard for his long-term ankle infection problem, Suarez had again taken on leadership role in the team with his dribbling, flair and aggressiveness in attack. He won a penalty for Adam and created a great scoring chance for Carroll. He was basically everything in all LFC's attack moves.

Insight:
LFC has been mostly playing better in away games than home games this season. The reason I can explain is they has been facing too much expectation and pressure from the home supporters. For LFC to win games, it's vital to finish off scoring chances early in the game. To be honest, Suarez was lucky to win a penalty in the game. Carroll was hyped as a heading machine, but had scored all his three goals this season by his feet! It's devastating that the combination of Downing and Carroll has failed to create even one single headed goal so far! They sure must look into the mirror! Among all the new comers this season, Downing has been the most disappointing. Although he has no less than 2 post-hitting shots so far, it's incredible he hasn't won 1 assist so far! Even the heavily criticized but mis-used Henderson has scored goals and got assists already! Left-back Jose Enrique has been very impressive for his defending, ball control and long passes/crosses. Adam has shown his inability in tackling, but has also scored goals and made accurate long-range passes. To sum it up, high priced tag signings Downing, Henderson and Carroll struggled more often. Whereas, bargain signings Enrique, Adam and Bellamy have done well so far. Clearly, the transfer price tags have given players heavy pressure to perform.

10.22.2011 Liverpool vs Norwich City 1:1 - A disappointing 2-point loss as Reds missed scoring chances

Starting line-up: (4-4-2)

Reina

Johnson Carragher Skrtel Enrique

Downing Gerrard Adam Bellamy

Kuyt Suarez

LFC scorers: Bellamy



LFC Player of the game: Bellamy
Bellamy didn't play particular brilliant. However, once he got substituted out in 2nd half for strange tactical reason, LFC has lost an edge in attack. LFC created enough scoring chances to win the game. Sadly, only the Welsh veteran was able to finish his chance.

Insight:
LFC must beat lower ranked teams or promoted sides at home if they want to win the 4th spot in the league and get back to UEFA Champion League next season. King was correct again in his starting line-up by inserting Bellamy to add speed and scoring ability, although Kuyt may be a better choice over the left-footed Downing on right wing. LFC missed lots of scoring chances in the game and I felt Suarez has shown tiredness in recent games as he has taken on too much scoring burden. King's questionable substitution of Henderson for Bellamy in 2nd half basically killed the team chance especially Henderson was once again given mis-fit right wing role. Since Lucas was suspended in this game after accumulating 5 yellow cards this season, Gerrard and Adam were the starting 2 CMF in this game. As both Gerrard and Adam are attacking-minded MF, LFC was clearly missing the defensive-minded Lucas in this game. This could be a signal that Gerrard and Adam can't be the starting CMF combination in 4-4-2. Gerrard and Adam should only be started together in 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 with a defensive CMF playing behind them.

10.15.2011 Liverpool vs Man. Utd. 1:1 - Our captain is back!

Starting line-up: (4-2-3-1)

Reina

Kelly Carragher Skrtel Enrique

Lucas Adam

Kuyt Gerrard Downing

Suarez

LFC scorers: Gerrard


LFC Player of the game:
Gerrard
Yet again captain Gerrard proved he is the heart and soul of the team with a clever free-kick that could have sealed an important victory against our ultimate rival.

Insight:
Finally, King Kenny got his formation right in this game. The only way LFC can get anything against the top 5 teams in the Premier League is to start with 5 midfields in trying to win the midfield battle. King has refused to play 5 in midfield this season but rather tried too hard to play 4-4-2 in order to develop the striking partnership of Suarez+Carroll, even if the experiment has mostly been proved ineffective so far due to the contrast styles of Suarez and Carroll as well as the incompetence of Adam and Lucas against the very best CMF in the league. Gerrard in the AMF role behind Suarez with Kuyt starting on the right MF has always been LFC's most effective formula. Too bad that LFC cannot hold the one goal lead till the end. Man Utd FW Hernandez is the type of natural born scorer that we are lacking in the team at the moment. Henderson has almost won the game for us for a dangerous shot and header in two occasions near the close of the game after given late chances in his favorite central role. King really should play Henderson in the middle rather than right wing role from now on.

10.1.2011 Everton vs Liverpool 0:2 - 35M Carroll finally scored as LFC beat 10-men Everton in Meresyside Derby.

Starting line-up: (4-4-2)

Reina
Kelly Carragher Skrtel Enrique
Kuyt Lucas Adam Downing
Suarez Carroll

LFC scorers: Carroll '71, Suarez '82

LFC Player of the game:

Dirk Kuyt – he was finally given a start on right wing over the ineffective Jordan Henderson. Dirk missed a penalty in the game (his first ever miss in LFC shirt!), but he was very active in the game. He almost scored a goal but his shot unlucky hit the post. He also involved in both of LFC goals. He intelligently let Jose Enrique low cross past over his head and created perfect opportunity for Carroll to open his scoring account. He also headed down the ball to Suarez to make his run for the 2nd goal. His most important contribution is his movement without the ball and timely run to the box as LFC tend to have insufficient bodies in the box in attack. He has forced opposing defenders to take notice of him which helped open up space for Suarez and Carroll to attack and score goals. Until LFC can acquire a natural right wing, Kuyt is basically a must start especially he has developed great understanding with Suarez and Gerrard.

Insights:

Liverpool certainly had the game officiating to thank for! To be honest, the game was 50-50 with 11 vs 11. Everton’s 4-5-1 could counter 4-4-2 well. Tim Cahill has always been a threat in the air against LFC, especially on the Carragher’s zone! The game has 0-0 written all over until an incorrect decision by referee to send off Rodwell for his silly but “yellow-card deserved at worst” tackle on Suarez. Yet, the reaction of Everton players such as Rodwell and Jagelika on their silly fouls on Suarez has proved that LFC possess a dangerous threat that fear Everton big-time while Everton certainly still lacks of anyone upfront who provide similar level of fear to LFC. While the class of Suarez is certainly the key difference between the two Liverpool teams, Dirk Kuyt is the real X-factor in the game. After this game, King should start playing Kuyt on right wing instead of Henderson. On the other hand, it’s not a coincidence LFC started to score once they introduced Gerrard and Bellamy into the game. While Adam and Downing are not bad signings by all means, Gerrard and Bellamy are superior in terms of quality and experience. I am glad for Carroll to finally open his league scoring account. The big man has shown his improvement in fitness and form over the past two weeks and his goal is well deserved. With the return of Gerrard, Carroll should have no excuse but to score more goals to repay the team, manager and the fans. I expect Downing to provide better crossing for Carroll. At this moment, LB Jose Enrique has proved to be a better provider from the flank. Jose has had one assist each in the past two games and has proved to be signing of the season for the Reds so far. Another thing that we learn from this game is we can effectively play 4 strikers simultaneously in the future game when we need to chase for winner or come back from behind. After the introduction of Bellamy in late 2nd half, we had as many as 4 strikers Carroll,Suarez,Kuyt and Bellamy playing together with Bellamy and Kuyt playing on the wing. The 4 strikers can provide serious attacking threat and I recommend King to continue to use this tactics in similar situation in the future.